ONEIDA -- The Oneida American Legion Post 169 held its inaugural Fall Festival on Sunday and organizers are hoping to make this an annual event.

Charmine Baker, unit president, and one of the organizers for the event, said one of the goals for the event was to reach out to the community.

"While we are here for the veterans and active duty personnel, the Legion is also an active part of the community," she said.

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According to Baker, the Legion is also an organization called upon to assist local fire victims in whatever means they can. It also provides walkers and wheelchairs to community members who are in need.

Legion members, their families and the community took part in a host of events, including inflated slides and bounce houses for the children.

Morgan Gentile, 6, of Oneida, was thrilled with the slide.

"I am going to pick out my pumpkin today too and we are going to make a funny face on it," Morgan said.

Seasonal items such as pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks and squash were available for purchase. Several local vendors and crafters also attended the event. This gave local businesses the opportunity to show off their goods and services.

A highlight of the event was the pumpkin carving contest. Makayla Miller of Oneida arrived to the festival early and began the intense task of carving a spider web onto the front of her pumpkin. Using a pare knife, she work with precision, carving out the details onto her pumpkin. Miller estimated it would take upwards of two hours to complete her carving.

As the event wound down, the winner of the contest, however, was Anna Fargo of Oneida. Fargo's entry was the carving of the MIA - POW crest into her pumpkin.

"When I first learned about it, I wanted to do something that would honor those who have sacrificed so much for our country. This was the perfect place to do this at," Fargo said.

Fargo started her carving shortly after getting out of work at midnight. She said it took a little over five hours to complete her entry.

Cash prizes were awarded to the top three contestants in the 13-year and up category and gift bags were presented to children in the 6-12 age group.

Organizers were pleased with the response and feedback they got for the first year. Baker said there were quite a few volunteers who helped to make the event successful.

"We want to make this an annual event for our members and the entire community," she said.